Flat Plate Light Switch Fitting

[Flintstone]

I wasn't convinced, in fact I just knew he was wrong but what can you do other than call someone a liar to their face?. The Homebase muppet who told me flatplate switches just push on to any box had that look in his eye when I asked "Are you absolutely certain?" and he said "Yes". "Are you sure?". "....Yes".

Am I right? Do I have to fit a new box?.

[tr7v8]

Nope you normally fit a clip plate with the screws then clip the flat plate on top.

[Flintstone]

Nothing came with the switch so I assume that's a separate purchase


By the way, today's tip. When fitting a three gang switch for the hall, stairs landing remember to pull the fuses for both the ground and first floors. I thought my breakdancing days were over

[Simpo Two]

Flintstone said:

Am I right? Do I have to fit a new box?.

You might have to fit a deeper box because the flush front means the mechanism goes further into the wall. I know!

[Smiler.]

Flintstone said:

Nothing came with the switch so I assume that's a separate purchase


By the way, today's tip. When fitting a three gang switch for the hall, stairs landing remember to pull the fuses for both the ground and first floors. I thought my breakdancing days were over

Oh yes. Goes along with check your tester screwdriver or other mains tester on a known live circuit before diving in.

As for the switch, what make is it?

[Flintstone]

Smiler. said:

As for the switch, what make is it?

Ultimate or GET, hard to tell but both are on the packet.

[hairyben]

Flintstone said:

Smiler. said:

As for the switch, what make is it?

Ultimate or GET, hard to tell but both are on the packet.

GET is the brand, ultimate is the range.

standard flush mounted switch boxes are 13mm which is a bit shallow for flat plates, but have a look as you may have deeper boxes or shallow boxes beyond the plaster finish. It's very important that metal plates have an earth connected too, if there isn't one present in the box consult a spark.

[freecar]

Check the clip plate isn't clipped to the plate already, I had loads of these to do a while back and they all fitted old standard boxes. Took me a moment to realise I had to prise the clip plate from the bac of the plate first!

[miniman]

Depends on th amount of wiring behind each switch. I have several that fitted perfectly, others that needed a deeper back box. Cooker switch definitely needed more room, as did one (oddly) fused spur switch.

[Flintstone]

It's a shallow box with too much wiring behind for this so I've swopped it for a standard screw on one. If this had come up while I was patching the plaster I'd have fitted a deeper box but it'll make too much mess now. Hey ho.

The plastic clips weren't attached.


Edit: Fixed. Well worth a tenner.

Edited by Flintstone on Wednesday 26th January 20:42